LONG ISLAND TOP WRESTLERS
                                     By Jim & Tony Nordland


     Another top tier of talented LI wrestlers include returning county champions John Arceri (113) of Huntington at  and Nassau's MOW winner Owen Bachelder (20-3) of Hewlett at 132 pounds, both are sophomores, and will seek medals at the 2014 state meet. Also in the mix are 11 Division I county finalists that are solid contenders in the upcoming season. David Yablans (106) of Jericho, Chris Donnelly (113) of Island Trees, Adam Smith (21-1) of East Meadow at 126,  sophomore standout Chris Mauriello (22-0) at 132 and ESM's Jimmy Leach (20-0) a senior in the 138-pound class.

     Also to watch are Wantagh senior Nick Vines at 145, gridiron star Erik Adon (21-0) at 170 of perennial power East Islip, Plainedge's Robert Ng (16-0),  Nick Weber (17-0) of Kings Park, both at 195, Anthony Puca (17-1) of Huntington at 220 and Farmingdale's Bryan  Tenny  (16-2) at 285 pounds.

     Division II Nassau team champions feature Locust Valley grapplers; Bryan Coll (106), the Dusold brothers, Hunter  at 113 and Mike (145), Jordan Formicola (20-2) at 160, along with Yamique Webb in the 182-pound class.

     Other top CHSAA returnees are junior Christian Briody (126) of Chaminade, along with other Flyers' Danny Jones (145) and talented Connor Watson at 182. St. Anthony's looks to John Twomey (113), junior Ben LaMantia  (120) and tough Joseph Russ (24-2) at 126.

     Looking for redemption in the 2013-2014 season are a myriad of all-county matmen that include Peter Pappas (Plainview) and  Zach Ancewicz (John Glenn), both at 106,  junior Kyle Scully (Newfield), and Danny Murray (18-0) of Brentwood at 113. Potential county finalist SWR's  James  Szymanski (19-0) Tim Johnson (18-1) of Harborfields at 120. Top 126-pounders are veteran Corey Jamison (18-2) of Huntington and Austin Munro (Hauppauge).

     Other wrestlers to watch are Islip unbeaten junior Brad Wade, Tom Reina (Garden City), along with All-League selections, Anthony Messina (Sachem East) and Don Donnelly of Ward Melville. That group should fall into the 126/132 pound weight classes. Possible 132/138-pound contenders could be James Matias (Rocky Point),  Sean O'Hagan (24-1) of Sachem North, juniors Jake Einbinder (Bethpage) and GinoTitone (18-0) of Connetquot, along with Jack Reina (Garden City) and potential finalist Dave Brown (20-2) of Farmingdale.

     Potential county finalists at 145/152 pounds are Jakob Restrepo (17-0) of Sachem East, Dennis Ferro (22-1,122-36 career) wins of EI, Brandon Aviles (Newfield) and senior Zach Lugo of Deer Park. Other top prospects include Michael Pistone (19-1) of Sachem East and Willy Jacobs (Uniondale). Highly-touted Mark Tracy (18-0) of Sachem East could be one of the favorites in the 182-pound class along with Islip's all-league selection Ronnie King.

     Rounding out the top upper weights, look for county placers, Jaison White (160) of Jericho, along with Plainedge's undefeated Rob Oliver. Islip's Craig Hinrichs (17-0) is a potential finalist along with Walt Whitman's Vin Feola (21-1) at 220. In Div. II look for junior Matt Doty of Bayport-Blue Point to seek the gold medal. The stalwarts at 285 pounds are Massapequa's Tim Gungor, Vinny Manna (Island Trees) and soph Edwin Rubio (16-0) of John Glenn.